William Calvert

William Calvert is a 28 year old New York designer and he is The Look On-Line's choice for the:

"Best young designer in New York for 1997."

Calvert works in cashmere, crepes wool and silk jerseys. He is known for his sophisticated one seam narrow columns of fitted construction that spiral around the body. The dresses' are clean, low-key silhouettes that evolve out of complex wrap techniques.

With a degree from the Academia Italiana Moda in Florence, and after working for several years in Paris on the couture collections of Balenciaga, Pierre Balmain and Rochas, and with additional experience in New York designing and developing new collections for Diane Von Fursternberg, and Brooks Brothers, his evening dresses are now being seen in some of New York' s most important stores - Barney's, Bergdorf, and small high end stores under his own label.

"for low-key, luxurious evening dresses,
William Calvert is the one to watch"
- October 1997 American Vogue

Calvert's goal is "to make clothes that are sewn like couture but are available off the rack". He shows great attention to construction and special details like cutouts. He has been compared to Halston for his simplicity and Geoffrey Beene for his technique.

His dresses sell for from $2000 to $4000. Calvert is very proud of the ladies who do the work making his dresses. He calls them "the best of the best - one of the best sample rooms in New York because they have worked for the greats like Trigere, Charles James, and Halston."

Calvert fits everything on his fiancee, Hallia Elias, who is a size 6 but she has hips and a bosom. He cuts his clothes for women who have real figures. " I never cut a a dress so dramatically that a woman can't wear a bra or pantyhose. My clothes are meant to be seen up close, not on a runway on too skinny waifs."

His showroom is at 29 West 57th Street and it is right next store to Bergdorf Goodmans, which is carrying his collection. His family is providing him with financial backing and his mother takes care of the books. Although his family line goes back to Maryland's Calvert lords, he is an affable, friendly young man with great talent and such obvious joy in what he does that we are sure he has a great future in our industry.

- by Ernest Schmatolla

Showroom: William Calvert 29 West 57th Street. New York, NY 10019.
phone: 212.888.8808 fax: 212.888.3081

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